COVID-19 Tip 6: Take care of the relationships in the workplace
It’s looking like many of us will be returning to work soon. You know about social distancing, washing your hands and even cleaning your workspace. We know that, most likely, not all people will be at work at the same time. What about the relationships within your workplace? Here are some tips.
- Get ready the night before and leave home earlier than usual, so that you are calm and relaxed when arriving at work and talking with people the next day.
- Reach out and make calls, video or phone, to those who are not at work when you are. Emails are a good way to connect as well.
- If you need to ask your boss something or make a comment, decide how you are going to ask or say it, through phone call, video chat and face to face? Decide what you would like and what you are going to say, then say it.
- Ask questions that are relevant and would be seen in a good light, if you feel uncertain. If you cannot get answers to your questions, at least you have asked.
- Talk about topics other than Coronavirus, such as, topics about life that you would discuss before the pandemic. Some lighthearted conversation is most welcome.
COVID-19 Tip 5: Build relationships within the home
During the time of isolation many of us have spent an increased time with family or housemates who live in the same home. If you find that there have been difficulties between those in the same home, here are some steps you may want to try:
- Identify a person you are having difficulty with.
- Decide what you are having difficulty with regarding this person and what you would like to be different.
- Have a discussion with the person explaining what you have observed as a difficulty and what you suggest could happen differently going forward. Also ask what they have observed and what suggestions they have.
- Spend some relaxed happy moments being with the person.
- Let me know how it goes.
COVID-19 Tip 4: Perfect your social distance greeting and ways of communicating.
It seems that, even as we resume a somewhat ‘normal’ life, there will still be social distancing for a while. How do you show your affection, greet someone and show warmth and friendliness and connect, within the social distancing rules? Here are a few suggestions, do you have any to add?
- Smile with your eyes, especially if you are wearing a mask (nobody can see your mouth).
- Touch elbows or feet to greet someone.
- Use a warm and friendly tone when greeting and speaking with someone.
- Hold your arms open and blow a kiss from 1.5 meters away.
- Use words of affection such as ‘I love you’, ‘you are so special’.
- Watch that your body language is relaxed, friendly, warm and open.
- Connect through conversation and understanding, to gain an emotional connection.
COVID-19 Tip 3: Make use of telehealth sessions.
Many health care professionals are offering telehealth, including Space to Relate Psychology. Telehealth is a positive and useful experience for all. Here is some information about psychology telehealth sessions for you:
Sessions:
- Take place using telephone or video (zoom, skype).
- Are in the comfort of your own home.
- May include other family members who may not have been willing to be included in a face to face sessions.
- Feels much the same as face to face sessions.
- Can take place from your car or another place, if you don’t have a quiet space in your home.
- Cover content that would be covered in a face to face session.
- Bridge the gap from your last and next face to face session.
- Are bulk billed at Space to Relate Psychology.
- Can be booked with reception at the Medical Centre, let reception know if you would like a face to face, telephone or video session.
Do you have any questions about telehealth and psychology?
COVID-19 Tip 2: Connect with as many people as you can
Connect with as many people as you can over the period of isolation, even if it is on the phone or via video call.
Let me know the ways that you are staying connected with others during this time?
Register for this seminar that is taking place this Thursday. I am unsure if it will be recorded but register anyway, even if you can’t attend, so that you can receive the recording if you are unable to attend and if there is a recording.
Thursday 23 April 2020, 8pm, AEST
Never before have Australians been so restricted in their movement and the ways they can connect with other people.
These are extraordinary rules on our movement. For many, having far fewer social interactions may result in more loneliness.
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, APS psychologists and other experts in loneliness and social isolation have come together to offer Australians advice to deal with their feelings of loneliness, isolation and anxiety at this time.
This is a free public event, hosted by the Australian Psychological Society.
Register:
https://www.psychology.org.au/Loneliness-socialisolation-event
Tip 1: Make a daily plan, even if you are working from home or not working.
Yes, a daily or weekly plan. All you need to do is enter the time you are working from home (include your Zoom meetings), and the times you are doing anything else (including washing, going to the shops, reading, watching a movie, live streaming, talking with friends). This plan will assist you to get motivated each morning because you know what you will be doing each day and you will have lots to look forward to. If you are not working, still do a plan that includes what you are going to do each day.
Let’s stay physically distanced but socially connected.
